What's West
Coast Swing?

West Coast Swing is a sophisticated,
high-style evolution of the Lindy or Jitterbug which became popular
during World War II. Some say that, in order to conserve space on the
crowded ballroom dance floors of that era, the dancers started using
a slot pattern instead of a circular one. Others credit the Hollywood
choreographers with having made the modification to a slot pattern in
order for the dancers to remain within camera range. The result of this
modification, with the freedom of movement which it produced, gave swing
dance a unique quality to allow partners individual technique an styling.
Since this all came about in the Pacific States, the resulting product
came to be known as "West Coast Swing" and, after 40 years,
has become the California State Dance.